I am rather old-fashioned in some areas of my life, which I do not intend to upgrade to current standards. I do not believe in changing something unless it really needs to be changed. A crazy phobia is going around these days suggesting that if something is old, it must not be any good and if it is new, it must be good.

I think old Solomon was right when he said, "there is no new thing under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9 KJV).

So, I am never intimidated by some new gizmo or gadget that comes down the line. One of the things I have no intention of upgrading is in the area of giving credit. I believe in giving credit where credit is due. After all, I need all the credit I can get these days.

If somebody does something that blesses me, I am beholden to give them their due credit. I am under the opinion that if I give enough people enough credit that one day I just may be able to cash in.

This all came to me this past week when I had my visit to the dentist. I make it a rule that once a decade to visit my dentist whether I need to or not. The thing that spurred my visit to the dentist this time was one of my fillings had fallen out. Actually, I am assuming it fell out because where it used to be was a hole in my tooth. Upon pondering the situation to its logical conclusion, I must have eaten my filling.

This dental hygienic situation brought me to my latest visit with my dental hygienist. While I was there, I thought I would save time, if not money, and have my teeth cleaned. Every decade I like to have my teeth cleaned. According to my dentist’s records, the last time I had my teeth cleaned was 13 years ago. So, it is time.

Because it was so long since my last visit with the dentist, he insisted on taking pictures of all my teeth. I hope to get copies so I can post it on my Facebook. After all, what would my Facebook be without pictures of teeth?

I had forgotten the whole procedure of dental photography. It took an entire hour to photograph all my teeth one at a time. During the sixty minutes of my photography shoot, I had to keep my mouth open. I have never had my mouth open for so long in all my life.

After this, I have a new appreciation for women. How they keep their mouth open for so long is one of those mysteries husbands will never be able to unravel.

The upshot of my visit with the dentist was I had a clean bill of health regarding my teeth and gums. I must have been doing something right to have such healthy teeth and gums for a person my age.

When the dentist said "a person my age," I was not sure if he was insulting me or congratulating me for good health. Being the gentleman that I am, I took the latter.

"I don't know what you're doing," the dentist said cheerfully as I left his office, "just keep it up." With that, I left the dentist office.

I thought a lot about what he said and I have come to a major conclusion. I like giving credit where credit is due, so I had to think long and hard about whom to credit for my good dental health.

Certainly, I could congratulate the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage on her superb dietary work in the kitchen. Without doubt, it pays to eat the right food if you are going to have good health. But I think it goes much further than this.

What am I doing to credit such a good dental health report?

Then it came to me.

Have you ever given serious thought about something for so long, you seem to be getting nowhere, and then all of a sudden, it hits you?

I know what I can credit my excellent dental health. Apple Fritters. That is right. The reason I have good teeth and good gums is because of a consistent diet of Apple Fritters. After all, everybody knows the main ingredient of an Apple Fritter is an Apple. There is nothing better for a person than an Apple.

Where the Fritter comes in is very simple. The Fritter part of an Apple Fritter is the means by which my body can assimilate the nutritional aspects of the Apple. The Fritter facilitates the good parts of the Apple to every part of my body.

Therefore, with a deep sense of humility and gratefulness, I credit my dental health to the regular consumption of Apple Fritters. A friend of mine recently suggested that I might be addicted to Apple Fritters, but I kindly remonstrated him by explaining I am addicted to good dental health.

My spiritual health is a different matter.

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen" (Jude 1:24-25 KJV).

God gets all the credit in my life for my spiritual health now and forever.

The Rev. JamesL.Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail [email protected]. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

Dr. James L. Snyder, is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, 1471 Pine Road, Ocala, FL 34472. He lives with his wife in Silver Springs Shores. James is an award winning author whose books are available at https://amzn.to/2SMOjwO.

Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail [email protected]. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.